Kartli

Kartli, formerly known as Iberia, is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia, with Tbilisi serving as its capital. The infiltration of Anatolian tribes into the territory played a decisive role in the creation of the Kartveli people, and the Kingdom of Iberia was created in 302 BC, lasting until 580 AD. During the early 4th century, the region was Christianized, but it was conquered by the Zoroastrian Sassanid Empire in 580 AD and then by the rebellious Principality of Iberia in 588 AD. Kartli frequently changed hands between the Persians, Iberians, and the Arabs, and it became a Russian protectorate in 1783. After a devastating Persian invasion in 1795, Kartli agreed to become a Russian protectorate in 1801, and it remained under Russian rule until the Republic of Georgia was created.